King's Gold

‘Of course! All are welcome in God’s house.’ Luke opened the door, walked inside and held it for her. She followed him, and he noticed that her eyes went straight to the cross. It was good to see a child so sure of her faith, he thought. If it were not for the fact that she was still suffering from the loss of her father, he would have wondered whether she might have a vocation; as it was he would not attempt to test her for such a path, but instead would try to aid her to overcome her sadness.

‘Come, child, would you like to help me clean the floor? There is a funeral today. Adam Williamson – drowned, you know. Would you help me to prepare the church for him?’

‘Yes,’ she said. ‘I’d like to.’

She was a good helper. While he went about the church preparing the altar, setting out candles, bread, and wine, she took his besom and swept the flagstone floor.

When he cast surreptitious glances at her, Father Luke was pleased to see that she had lost a little of her desolate look. Perhaps he should have her help a little more often. The girl obviously enjoyed being here.

And then the mood was broken. Agatha appeared in the doorway, and her eyes snapped from Jen to him, full of suspicion and doubt.

‘It is all right, Agatha. Jen came in to help me,’ Father Luke said.

Agatha nodded brusquely, but even as she turned to leave, Father Luke’s polite smile stiffened on his lips. Her expression -why so suspicious? And then he threw a glance at Jen, and saw that her eyes were wide with fear.

And suddenly Father Luke was filled with horror as he realised the truth.

Eve of Ascension

Berkeley Castle

Harry and Senchet had taken to sitting apart from Dolwyn. It had been cold down there in their gaol, but since Sir Baldwin had returned, they had been moved to this chamber in the main keep, which was considerably warmer and more pleasant.

Still, if anything, Harry thought that Dolwyn’s mood was deteriorating. The days of enforced inactivity, with nothing to break the monotony other than the two meals they were given – one of bread and pottage and one of oaten cakes with a little cheese – was giving him too much opportunity for introspection. He was not coping well.

Senchet yawned and scratched at an armpit where a flea or louse had bitten him the night before. ‘How much longer do we remain in here?’

‘Until the lord of the castle comes back and holds court,’ Harry said.

Ah. We wait only for his return. And if he dies?’

‘I suppose we have a court sooner, with professionals sitting in justice. It depends on the custom of the manor.’

Senchet shook his head and sighed. ‘And all because of the cart, and saving our friend here.’

‘I am sorry – all right? I wish I’d never taken the blasted cart,’ Dolwyn said bitterly.

‘Do not be downhearted,’ Senchet murmured. ‘You gave me a sight of a treasure chest larger than I have ever seen before. It was,’ he added, ‘a beautiful vision.’

‘I wish we’d just knocked you on the head and taken it,’ Harry said, only half-joking.

‘No, Harry,’ Senchet remonstrated. ‘You forget yourself. Our friend here saved us from tedium. Besides, if he had not appeared we might have starved. It was his food that kept us alive. Our next action would have been to waylay a traveller and steal from him, which would have led to us being in a gaol in any case.’

‘I wonder where that money is now?’ Harry said.

‘Ah, I expect the good Lord of Berkeley has it with him. He is no fool, after all. Would you trust your money to men such as those who are his guards here at the castle? No – nor I. The money will help pay for the goods and food he will need on his way, assuredly.’

Dolwyn groaned. ‘It hurts to think of all that coin going to a lord who already has so much.’

Harry shrugged. ‘That’s the way of things. There is nothing we can get our hands on that isn’t likely to be filched by some baron. That’s how they get their money, by stealing it from the likes of you and me.’

Dolwyn grunted. ‘I was hoping to be rich. And I would be, if it wasn’t for those prickles at Kenilworth. I could have got Sir Edward out, and then I’d have been rolling in gold for the rest of my life. I could have been made sergeant of a nice little manor somewhere – that would have suited me down to the ground. And instead I’m stuck in here, accused of murders I didn’t even do.’

Senchet looked at him. ‘Well, my friend, for my money, I don’t think it matters who did it or why. But unless someone else is found guilty, all three of us could suffer the punishment. And I do not like that idea one bit.’

Ascension Day

Berkeley Castle

Benedetto saw his brother at the other side of the yard and hurried over to see him, his bodyguards about him. ‘Matteo, I must talk to you.’

‘No. Keep away from me,’ Matteo pleaded, and retreated a few paces. Alured was nearby, and now he interposed himself, his hand on his long knife.

‘Matteo, please. You haven’t spoken to me for days, little brother.’